Bar owners shouldn't bet against the ATC

January 10, 2006

The St. Joseph County Alcohol Tobacco Commission has a New Year's resolution: It will take a no-nonsense approach to bars that feature gambling machines. After a more tolerant stance in the past, the ATC's resolution is welcome. ATC President Bob Urbanski has promised that he will oppose renewal of the alcohol permits of any businesses that have the machines on their premises in 2006. Urbanski is right to take a hard line, for two reasons. First, the machines are illegal in Indiana, as the business operators who have them know very well. And second, gamblers who use the machines have no way of knowing that they aren't being cheated by the unregulated machines. There is no one to monitor or calibrate the machines to make sure they pay out at the promised odds. There is a move afoot in Indiana to address the second reason. The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association has for several years pressed the Indiana General Assembly for legislation to legalize the gambling machines. It should not. Legislators might find the potential income to the state from taxes on the machines to be appealing. The fact is, Indiana already relies more than enough on the unpredictable income of gambling taxes. And the state has its share of gambling-associated problems. Between state-sponsored lottery games and casinos, no one who has a hankering to place a bet in Indiana is denied the opportunity. The machines, although common in bars and other public places, are illegal. The state excise police should enforce the law. And any bar owner who intentionally breaks the law is pushing his luck. He should expect his alcohol permit to be in jeopardy.